In the midst of a third quarter run that effectively killed the Wizards' hopes at a win, Eddie Johnson said, "And here I thought this was going to be a game decided in the fourth quarter." I thought the same thing, especially after a nearly-defense lacking first half that had the Suns leading 64-61. However, to start the second half, the Suns, would have none of that.

Orchestrated by the near-perfect Steve Nash, the Suns came out firing. Two lob feeds for dunks within the first two minutes of the quarter indicated that we may have been in store for a track meet. However, on the defensive end, the Suns tightened up. Players rotated defensively. They got their hands in the passing lanes. They contested every shot from the Wizards, and the defensive intensity led to a 27-13 run that allowed Nash to leave the game.

It wasn't until a stretch of sloppy play by the Suns reserves that prompted Alvin Gentry to call a time out and put the starters back in. Once that happened, it was game over. Adios. Sayonara, Washington. This was a quality win over a team the Suns should have beaten.

And there was this...

The Suns are finally looking like the team we know they could be. An unconventional, yet efficient team defensively, and a well oiled machine on the offensive end. Things aren't perfect. In fact, they're far from perfect. But improvement is improvement, and this is the first time the Suns have really taken a slumping team out back and given them an old fashioned beating.

Things That Impressed Me

Two words: Steve Nash. I'll let his stats do some of the talking, which I'll post below. But even more than the gaudy and near-perfect stats, he was every bit of the leader we know him to be. He made perfect pass after perfect pass to set up the second half run. He stepped in front of players. Defended. Gave a pep talk to Dragic in between quarters. There are times when you see someone play and simply appreciate everything that they do. This was one of those games for me. Aside from the two turnovers, it doesn't get any better than that.

Hakim Warrick's overall play. Yeah, I know he had the amazing dunk. I know he scored 26 points in 27 minutes off the bench. But aside from all the offense, it was the way Warrick conducted himself on the court. The lack of playing time given in the previous two games must have rung true with him. He came out energized, crashed the boards (he picked up 6 tonight) and looked more committed on the defensive end.

Beating handily a team we should have beaten handily. The Wizards are slumping and John Wall is rusty since returning from an injured knee. Prior to the injection of defense, that wouldn't have meant anything to the Suns. The fact that this game ended like it did showed me that the team is stepping it up when they need to. They're developing that killer instinct. They're beginning to play as if the games mean something.

Major props go out to Alvin Gentry, who has always found a way to make it work. Since inputting the widely unknown and late signee Earl Barron into the starting lineup, the Suns are 3-0. He has consistently shown that he is able to adjust on the fly and roll with the players that are succeeding. He has also shown the tenacity that it takes to coach an unlikely group of players into a successful, winning team. All in all, it was a great win for the team. These are the type of games that separate a bad team from a playoff team, and the Suns are beginning to play like they actually believe they deserve in the playoffs.

Suns go w/ Warrick and Hedo together on the front line. Blatche goes right at Warrick in the paint and draws foul

Gilbert hits a three, Nash responds w/ a pick and roll dunk for Warrick. Barron can't do that

Hedo steal and leads the break, JRich three but Nash gets credit for the assist b/c of his quick swing pass. That should have been Hedo's assist

Suns on a nice little run here to close the quarter. 31-28, Wiz

2nd Qtr

Suns start w/ a Hedo/Warrick pick and roll. Warrick to the line

Yi posting up Hedo, that's sad

Earl Barron had 5 offensive rebounds and no second chance points

Warrick looking fly

Josh doing a good job staying in front of Arenas, not that Arenas is all that quick any more

Suns not shooting the ball but there are at least getting into the paint and getting to the line. Fairly bleh game so far. Not the kind of game we are going to remember in two month...or tomorrow

Fun to see Dragic try and attack Wall. Didn't work but still fun

Nice steal from Hedo on McGee

Suns production peeps trying so hard to get this "Heeeedooooo" thing to catch on after each of his threes. Not working

Golden Grannies on the court. Time for me to make a little golden stream. Brb

JaVale McGee found someone he can post up - Hakim Warrick. But Wiz can't stop Suns

49-48, 4:55. Nash back in. Very nice stretch for Dragic/Hedo/Warrick they are plus something

Wow, that looked like an actual play from the Wizards. Highly unusual

Nash uses various Wizards as screens to shake Wall and get an open shot

Meanwhile, Wizards like Nick Young and Ji can't miss from outside. Defense!!

Both sides scoring but I have to think the Suns are more sustainable..they are at least getting into the paint and getting to the line. Wiz just hitting from outside...open shots but still from outside

OOOOOHHH Warrick Mega Slam end of half. Looks back at Suns bench like "Earl Barron who"